Mystery Review: Death Claims is the second installment in the series featuring insurance investigator Dave Brandstetter. Not quite as good as the first, perhaps suffering from the sophomore slump that happens when writers put a lifetime of experience into their first work and then have six months to write a follow-up. A few moments seemed familiar, almost like outtakes from the first Brandstetter episode Fadeout (1970). This one has rare books, drug addicts, blackmail, Christians, community theater, and more as the investigation chases a rapidly moving target: every chapter seems to bring a new suspect. Death Claims is a solid mystery story that, because it's Joseph Hansen (1923-2004), is sure to be well written. No complaints but a couple of quibbles. It may only be expected that a gay detective would encounter (or in 1973, recognize) more gay people than the norm, but I hope this series doesn't come to rely on the devious, gay murderer trope. Also there's a moral issue when our hero is responsible for an innocent man's death, but the ethical question is largely glossed over. Other than those two concerns, Death Claims is a good solid mystery, perfect for train or plane travel, with a bit more diversity than usual. [3★]
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